Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo has announced his retirement from international football, according to a report by Daily Post Nigeria published on Thursday, 5 November 2026. The report says he made the announcement in a video posted on his social media accounts on Thursday morning.
What Ronaldo said
The 41-year-old was quoted as saying: "the time has come for me to hand my country's number seven shirt back." He added: "Some decisions are not made with the mind." The report does not give the full text of the video or say which platform he used.
Fallout with Jorge Jesus
Daily Post Nigeria links the announcement to a fallout between the forward and Portugal head coach Jorge Jesus during the last international break. According to the report, the Al Nassr star left the national team camp after sitting out a UEFA Nations League game as an unused substitute.
The source does not say that the fallout is the reason for his decision, and it does not carry any reaction from Jorge Jesus, the Portuguese Football Federation or Ronaldo's teammates. The decision is also not stated to have been confirmed through any official federation channel.
